Choosing where to live when you move to university

When you’re applying for uni, there are so many things to consider - the course, worrying about your A-Level grades, what to bring, whether you’ll make friends...thinking about accommodation on top of all of that can feel so overwhelming!  

My time in Snow Island was great. As far as halls go, the ones in Huddersfield are definitely way up there in terms of quality.  

For a relatively low price, you get a bedroom of your own (including en-suite bathroom), a kitchen and lounge area that you share with around four to five others, as well as an on-site laundry room, courtyard and lobby - those last two having board games, snooker tables and ping-pong, too.  

Snow Island also hosted quiz nights, which were great fun and were a fantastic time to make friends with other residents and even learn bits of trivia about Huddersfield. 

Advice for property viewing

Going for a property viewing can feel quite intimidating the first time around, but it’s an informal and relaxed situation.

Make sure you have a list of things you want to check for and ask. For example, which appliances are supplied, whether bills are included.

Also consider if the flat comes furnished or not (most student accommodation will come furnished, but if you’re unsure it’s okay to ask!) as well as personal preference things, like how big the windows are, what the view is like, the size of the desk etc. 

My flat is on the ground floor, which really helps me as I get quite bad joint pain on account of a chronic illness.

There’s a communal Post Room on the ground floor, too, where me and every other person staying in a flat here has their own key and private box, so our post is secure upon its delivery. 

Make your accommodation a home away from home

The flat itself is cosy and clean. The decor is neutral and basic, so I found it a lot of fun to put up art prints, ornaments, posters, and loads of other stuff to really make the space my own.  

Your student accommodation is a literal home away from home, so I find it important to decorate your space to make it more comfortable and more like yours. 

Some places will have rules against certain adhesives on their walls, though, so be sure to look into that. And if you’re not allowed glue-dots, sticky tack, or such, for fears of damaging the paint, you could do what I’ve done, and stick things up on the doors and provided furniture. 

I’d also recommend bringing comfort items from home; be it plush toys, blankets and cushions, photos of pets and such…try not to be consumed with the want to make the perfect ‘aesthetic’ room - make it comfy, cosy, and most importantly, make it yours. 

Something I really love about my flat is where it’s situated in town. 

It’s right by the town centre, across the road from a churchyard too, so I get a lovely view from my window of trees and grass, and plenty of birds, too

In the springtime, the trees outside bloom so many shades of pink, as autumn comes the green leaves become shades of amber and sunny yellow, and in winter, the frost on the grass looks like glitter! It’s a really lovely spot. 

On top of that, it’s right around the corner from a local coffee shop that serves amazing food and locally ground coffee.

And then, even better, is it’s close to many of my favourite spots in town. Less than five minutes’ walk away from the Packhorse Centre - which houses my favourite local haberdashery, as well as the Rate My Takeaway Kitchen - and Byram Arcade, home to a wonderful loose-leaf tea shop, local café-bistro, art supply shop, and so many more great local businesses.  

It’s close to many supermarkets, and campus, too, so I’m easily able to walk to get my weekly groceries, and to my classes, which is fantastic. 

Huddersfield is a great place to live, and there are so many options for students. I’m sure you’ll be able to find the accommodation that’s just right for you! 

Best of luck! :)

Mait